Prosthetics and People of Color

[Nowhereboi]

http://mxhuman.tumblr.com/post/120144907537/freetom-prosthetics-for-trans-of-colour

Reading this person's experiences with FreeTom has reminded me of a problem that seems to crop up again and again when PoCs buy prosthetics "sight unseen":  The prosthetics are too light (or in rare cases, too dark).  Very rarely do we manage to get a passable match the first time around.  And even then, in a lot of cases, the overall coloring of the prosthetic is completely unrealistic for a darker-skinned person.  Like, it's almost as if the prosthetic makers haven't actually SEEN PoC penises.

Don't even get me started on the limited variety of darker tones in comparison to lighter ones, or the totally unintuitive naming schemes...


Have any other PoCs had an issue with this?  What do you think we can do to make color matching less hit-and-miss?

[notyouraverageguy]

I definitely agree with this. I do feel that the trans community is heavily populated with Caucasian individuals especially the ones that create the prosthetics. That's an issue in itself because their main focus is themselves. I very rarely see realistic colors in darker shades. Maybe someone who is a tpoc could step up and start making them also or volunteer to be a tester for darker colors, that's if the companies care to cater to poc.

[teddybear_zach]

I had success with the peecock african brown selection. someone busted in the bathroom while I was in there at a party and thought it was real. but i do understand the limited selections other companies have

[Brandon]

Man I feel you 100% on that, I agree with notyouraverageguy, another thing to mention is that us people of Coleridge come in loads of different skin tones, especially if you are mixed, I consider myself a mut because I am mixed with so much but, I think caucasions don't realize that we have so many different tones but ayeee that's the beauty of being black, we just don't come in 1 or 2 skin tones. I have had luck with EC prosthetics, when I look down at my prosthetics from there it actually looks like me.

[socktheory]

Dark Brown listed on their website definitely isn't dark brown. It's probably more of a light brown. But even so, they have a ton more shades past dark brown. Did you order it before they updated their color swatches?

[sam1234]

https://www.ftmprosthetics.com/about.htm

Try the above link. You might find that you have an easier time matching your skin tone here.

sam`123

[Brandon]

Dark Brown listed on their website definitely isn't dark brown. It's probably more of a light brown. But even so, they have a ton more shades past dark brown. Did you order it before they updated their color swatches?

Naw its definately not a light brown because I am lightskin and its darker than me. No I ordered mines a while back.

[Darkness Approaching]

I've had similar issues, but do a LOT or research before buying. I havent received my reelmagik yet, but I'm hoping to pass with the m16. I've heard that the RM models for people of color still come out light conpared to the swatches they let you choose from. Still, I'm good as far as finding my shade. I just want them to stop making the heads pink! Lol

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[Nowhereboi]

I've found it really helpful to shave EVERYTHING before ordering to see what tones I'm really working with.  Guessing based on your overall coloring is pretty much the worst think you could do.  Also, if there are samples, DEFINITELY order them.


Ditto the pink heads. Just....ugh.  Though my RM isn't too bad in that respect, honestly.

[sam1234]

Lets face it. No matter what your race, there will be a wide variation of skin tones, and the genitals are often a different tone than the rest of the body. What would be ideal would be to match skin tones in person with the the manufactuer so they could get the color just right. I'm afraid we are a long way from that.

Although a partner with whom you are having intimate relations would understand, it still leaves some feelings of nervousness when in a locker room where the showers are not private. Very few people are going to stare at someone elses genitals, but that doesn't mean that people don't take sneak peeks, usually to compare what they have to the other person's.

If you find a place that you like, ask if they will match colors and tones of skin to photos of your own skin. Some will, some won't.

sam1234

[Nowhereboi]

Lets face it. No matter what your race, there will be a wide variation of skin tones, and the genitals are often a different tone than the rest of the body. What would be ideal would be to match skin tones in person with the the manufactuer so they could get the color just right. I'm afraid we are a long way from that.

Although a partner with whom you are having intimate relations would understand, it still leaves some feelings of nervousness when in a locker room where the showers are not private. Very few people are going to stare at someone elses genitals, but that doesn't mean that people don't take sneak peeks, usually to compare what they have to the other person's.

If you find a place that you like, ask if they will match colors and tones of skin to photos of your own skin. Some will, some won't.

sam1234

Agreed, with caveats.

While I understand that this is a struggle for everyone, I think people with darker skin-especially darker skinned black people-have a much harder time finding prosthetics that suit them color-wise.  I think there are lots of reasons for that, some of which are on our end (internalized colorism, for one-I've seen so many guys ordering lighter than they should, not because there aren't other options, but because they seem to have issues with embracing their true skintone, or think that darker penises are "ugly").  A lot more, IMO are on the manufacturers end (no experience with non-white pensises, or very little experience). 

Yes, everyone has tonal variations, but there are specific patterns corresponding to different groups.  You can't just take a "white" penis, make the shaft darker and be done. Freckling doesn't show up as much, the head should probably be a lot less pink, veins don't show as readily, if you're adding hair, the texture may be different...it's a whole package. Heh.

Also, while I've had decent luck with matching to photos, a really good match requires a lot of coordination.  You need good lighting, a good camera, and some kind of reference tone (like a standardized silicone sample) on both ends-yours and theirs- so that they can try and calibrate and get the truest image possible.  Even then, that doesn't always go the way it should, especially if the other details like veins and such are off.

On a related note...as a lot of the "detailing" doesn't show up as readily on darker prosthetics...is it worth it paying extra for "advanced" paint, such as RM's?  Has anyone been able to compare?